environmental assessment for the hog lake road improvement project

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Ramona Hog Lake Road Improvement Project August 2011 spotted owl, and the vast, open and relatively undisturbed habitat in the Project area, these effects would be insignificant. Birds No direct effects are expected to nesting birds due to timing of the proposed action (see Table 1: Mitigation Measures/Design Criteria; Biological Resources). Indirect impacts to foraging birds may include avoidance or abandonment of the area, over the short-term. Those species that may use the Project area for foraging will still have access to large expanses of relatively undisturbed habitat in the Project area. Foraging habitat will not be substantially reduced with the implementation of the Proposed Action. Large mammal and bat species No direct effects are expected. There is a slight possibility of vehicle impacts, however given the wide territories of these species, vast open habitat in this area, no access restrictions around the roadway, no observed denning or roosting habitat in the impact area, the nocturnal habits of these species and the high visibility of the mountain lion, the possibility is minimal. Potential indirect effects during construction include noise, emissions, human presence and vibrations. With the vast range of the mountain lion and bat species, and the fact that mountain lions and bat species are nocturnal and mountain lions are primarily solitary, these effects would be considered insignificant. The proposed action will result in an insignificant amount of additional habitat fragmentation, consisting of the loss of 0.15 acre of chaparral. Given this small size, it is not a significant change beyond the current condition. Terrestrial species Direct effects may include being impacted by construction activities or as a result of the road improvements. The noise, activity and presence of humans on the worksite will likely discourage wildlife from the site during working hours, but they may take refuge around the equipment in off hours. These species, if present, could be injured or killed by construction equipment or vehicles. After completion of construction, vehicle impacts are not expected to substantially increase over current conditions. Increased direct effects could result from three main factors; increased speed, road maintenance and the preference of some reptiles to sun on paved surfaces. Mitigation measures/design criteria will be employed to reduce the chance of vehicle impacts with small mammals (see Table 1: Mitigation Measures/Design Criteria; Biological Resources). Noise and emission levels should be similar to current conditions after construction, as additional traffic levels are not expected, but periodic maintenance will occur. It is even likely that vibrations from road traffic would decrease after the road is paved, providing a smoother straighter surface and with the speed limit posted at 25 mph. The reduction in vibrations resulting from the paving of the current dirt road might be considered a positive outcome. Frank Springer & Associates, Inc. Page 47 of 79 Environmental Assessment
Ramona Hog Lake Road Improvement Project August 2011 Increases in invasive plant species could affect the diet of small herbivore, mammal species by displacing their primary food sources. Mitigation measures/design criteria will be employed to reduce the risk of invasive plant species (see Table 1: Mitigation Measures/Design Criteria; Biological Resources). Large areas of undisturbed vegetation occur in the Project vicinity and would be available food sources for these species. All wildlife species All wildlife species in the area may experience indirect effects from road construction. Increases in noise, chemical emissions and vibration could result in avoidance or abandonment of the area, over the short-term. With linear nature of the Project any increase in noise, emissions and/or vibrations would be continually progressing along the Project area, which would limit the time any one area would be exposed. Due to the remote location, open area and overall minimal traffic emissions should disperse. Although some species or individuals may alter behavior, mitigation measures/design criteria that restrict construction during spring and summer will reduce impacts to all wildlife during typical reproduction periods. With incorporated mitigations (see Table 1: Mitigation Measures/Design Criteria; Biological Resources), the short-term period of construction, periodic maintenance and the presence of substantial quality habitat nearby, the Project vicinity can provide sufficient foraging and nesting habitat thus indirect effects to wildlife would be temporary and minimal. Determination R5 Sensitive Plants: The proposed Project activities may adversely affect individual Sensitive Plants, but are not likely to result in a trend toward Federal listing or loss of viability. R5 Sensitive Wildlife Species: The Project may affect individuals, but is not likely to result in a trend toward Federal listing or loss of viability for these species. Cumulative Effects No Action and Proposed Action Cumulative effects on Sensitive and Watch-list Species are similar to those listed in the cumulative effects for Quino checkerspot butterfly for both the No Action alternative and Proposed Action. The Proposed Action would add 0.15 acres to the cumulative loss of red shank chaparral habitat in the area. Given this small size, the proposed action’s contribution to cumulative effects is not significant. Frank Springer & Associates, Inc. Page 48 of 79 Environmental Assessment
Page 1 and 2: FINAL FRANK SPRINGER & ASSOCIATES,
Page 3 and 4: LIST OF TABLES Table 1: Mitigation
Page 5 and 6: Ramona Hog Lake Road Improvement Pr
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environmental assessment for the hog lake road improvement project

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